By
Chris GarbuttBy
Chris Garbutt
When we relaunched the Lazy Writer as
Write magazine, we had three very clear goals in mind. First,
we wanted to examine writing as a form of cultural expression.
We wanted to cover the personalities, the issues, the politics
and the culture of writing in Canada. Second was to examine writing
as a form of personal expression, what writing means to individuals
in their lives. Finally, we set ourselves a goal of helping writers
connect to readers. This would include coverage of markets, advice
on getting published, and other issues that affect the daily grind
of the practical elements of writing.
What you're holding right now is an extension of what we've been
doing in our regular issues. Our goal with this Yearbook is to
put the year into perspective, and give you, the reader, the writer,
a picture of the recent past in Canadian writing, as well as help
you know what's out there that will guide your future as a writer.
That's why we commissioned several articles that take a look back
at various issues and genres. That's also why we've provided you
with comprehensive listings that will help you follow up opportunities
in the field.
The year 2000 was an eventful one for writers. From copyright
battles to Harry Potter, from a Canadian Booker Prize winner to
the creation of the Griffin Prize, writers were making news throughout
the year in Canada. So when we were compiling our lists, we had
some difficult choices to make. We surveyed our readers, surveyed
publishers, spoke with experts. In the end, it was down to the
staff - Alexandra and myself - to sift through all the arguments
for and against and all the diverse opinions about what is great
writing. We asked ourselves a single question in making our choices:
what writers, through their writing, made a difference in society
or in writing? We really wanted to look deeper than "the
usual suspects" and highlight people who had a real impact.
Though we considered hundreds of writers in our decisions, there
are a few people who deserve recognition who we consciously left
out from the beginning. Staff and contributing editors were disqualified,
because it's hard to be objective about people we work with. But,
in my opinion, any of these writers are worthy of acclaim. Three
had excellent second books published last year: Alexandra Leggat's
Pull Gently, Tear Here, Ronna Bloom's Personal Effects,
and K.D. Miller's Give Me Your Answer. And Lauren Davis
released a remarkable debut short-story collection, Rat Medicine
and Other Unlikely Curatives. Thanks are due also to the rest
of our contributing editors: Degan Davis, Koom Kankesan, Ward
McBurney and Marnie Woodrow. All of these people are outstanding
writers, and I know you'll be hearing more about them in the future.
Special recognition should also go to students at Centennial College's
Book and Magazine Publishing program, who did the vast majority
of fact-checking and inputting for our listings section.
I'm honoured to be surrounded by such talented people.
To all our readers, contributors, volunteers and supporters, thanks
for a great year. I hope 2001 is just as successful.